Venice Beach
Venice, FL
Venice Beach sits at the end of the Esplanade, the town's small, walkable downtown strip, with volleyball courts and a boardwalk giving it more built-in activity than a typical stretch of sand. Shark teeth wash up regularly here, part of what locals call the Shark Tooth Capital of the World.
Shark tooth hunting and a walkable downtown backdrop give it a real identity beyond just sand, though the no pets rule sends dog owners elsewhere.
How we score beachesBring a small sieve or mesh scoop for shark tooth hunting, locals sift through the dark sand and shell debris right at the waterline rather than digging randomly. Dogs aren't allowed here, Brohard Paw Park a short drive south is the area's real dog beach.
Parking is free at the beach lot near the Esplanade.
Boardwalks connect the lot to the beach, a short, flat walk.
Dogs aren't allowed at Venice Beach; Brohard Paw Park nearby is Sarasota County's only dog beach.
Winter and spring bring the mildest weather and the biggest snowbird crowds to this stretch of the Gulf coast. Summer's heat and hurricane season, June through November, bring the warmest water and afternoon storms.
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